Don’t get towed away or vandalized at trailheads

The Finger lakes Trail Conference does not guarantee parking at designated Finger Lakes Trail trailheads shown on their maps, as landowners and conditions change. So, if in doubt, they recommend asking the landowner before parking!

According to Java Joe, this is especially true if leaving a vehicle overnight (backpacking). For the latter he leaves a note on his windshield: “Backpacking the Finger Lakes Trail. All items of any value have been removed from this vehicle.” And they are removed.

Java Joe and a friend set off on a backpacking trip in the Adirondacks many years ago. They planned to park at a small parking area near Adirondack Loj, but after they saw 8 vehicles totally smashed in (and trunks pried open) they decided to park at the Loj

Kathy Cronin added, “I also notified the the sheriff recently when I left a car for 4 days. When I asked if they wanted this info, they said “absolutely – people sometimes call the car in if it remains overnight.”

These are good recommendations and ideas, no matter where you head out for hiking.